Jonny Zeller is not your average Hollywood director. With a career spanning from building and selling a media company to launching the digital division of Tapestry Films, Jonny is on a mission to revolutionize how we consume content.
He’s not just a director; he’s a “Story-verse Architect,” who approaches projects with a holistic mindset and focuses on creating a narrative that viewers choose to go on rather than are forced to watch.
In this exclusive interview, Jonny talks about his unique approach to storytelling, what sets him apart from others in the industry, and the challenges he’s had to overcome to pursue his dream.
Building a multi-platform story world: The Jonny Zeller Way
Jonny believes that traditional content creation is not enough in today’s world. Instead, he believes in building a multi-platform story world that engages audiences in a more robust way. He emphasizes the need to speak to an audience uniquely, depending on what platform they’re being reached on, but keeping a cohesive through-line.
Jonny’s approach to content creation opens the door for many more opportunities to hook the audience and bring them into a more immersive “story world.” It’s this approach that has made him one of the most sought-after directors in the industry today.
A lifelong storyteller: The foundation for Jonny’s career
Jonny’s passion for storytelling goes back to his childhood. He remembers crafting rudimentary plays with his cousins during family reunions and using his parents’ video camera at a young age.
Snowboarding and skateboarding eventually became the focus of his creativity, and he and his neighborhood crew would shoot hours and hours of content and thousands of pictures. It was these early experiences that laid the foundation for his career as a “Story-verse Architect.”
Overcoming challenges: How Jonny’s setbacks made him stronger
Jonny’s family was deeply affected by the real estate meltdown in 2008, which made it a scary time for him. They lost almost everything, and Jonny found himself drowning in credit card debt.
He realized he needed to leave his small town in search of more opportunities if he wanted to take a career in entertainment seriously.
Jonny spent the next few years couch surfing, taking odd jobs in between filming gigs, and building a network from nothing. The financial crash forced him out of his comfort zone, and he had to learn a lot of life lessons really fast. The sink-or-swim model was terrifying, but Jonny feels that he came out the other end stronger.
What’s next for Jonny Zeller?
Jonny’s career has been a wild ride so far, but he shows no signs of slowing down. He’s currently working on building a Web3 lifestyle brand and continuing to direct branded and commercial content with some of the world’s biggest talent.
With his unique approach to storytelling and his determination to change how we consume content, there’s no telling what Jonny will accomplish next. One thing is for sure; he’ll continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible and inspire others to do the same.
Connect with Jonny
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonnyzeller/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonnyzeller/
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Last modified: February 27, 2023